Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, YouTube Sign EU Anti-Hate Speech Accord

Facebook (FB), Twitter (TWTR), Microsoft (MSFT) and Alphabet (GOOGL)-owned YouTube signed a joint statement Tuesday pledging to help counter terrorists' use of social media in Europe.

The tech titans said they would review most hate speech claims within 24 hours and remove or block such content if substantiated.

"The spread of illegal hate speech online not only negatively affects the groups or individuals that it targets, it also negatively impacts those who speak out for freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination in our open societies and has a chilling effect on the democratic discourse on online platforms," the companies said in a statement.

Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft and Alphabet's YouTube are complying with a 2008 European Union law. The legislation took on new urgency in March, when EU officials sought to "intensify work with IT companies" in the wake of the Brussels terror attacks.

The agreement also comes as the European Union targets major Internet platforms on antitrust grounds, including Alphabet's Google.

Several of the companies, including Facebook and Twitter, already have anti-hate speech policies.

The move may raise concerns in America, which has traditionally supported stronger free speech protections than in Europe. Also, conservatives may worry that Internet giants will be more aggressive in cracking down on right-leaning content.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently met with various conservative leaders to try to quell concerns that the social network is curbing right-of-center content on its "Trending Topics" feature. Twitter has faced criticism that its efforts to stem abusive tweets have cut off legitimate conservative arguments.

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